RESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the perception and satisfaction among adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients on Neck Tilt with Medial Shoulder Imbalance and Lateral Shoulder Imbalance. METHODS: Lenke 1 and 2 AIS patients were stratified into 6 groups of preoperative/ postoperative Balanced (B), Lateral Shoulder Imbalance (LSI) (>2 cm), and Neck Tilt with Medial Shoulder Imbalance (NT) (Grade 3). Patients were interviewed using Modified Neck and Shoulder Appearance and SRS-22r questionnaires. T1 tilt, Cervical Axis (CA), Clavicle Angle (Cla-A) and Radiographic Shoulder Height (RSH) were measured. RESULTS: A total of 120 Lenke 1 and 2 AIS patients were recruited. NT patients were aware and unhappy with their abnormal neck with medial shoulder appearances (P < .001). Similarly, LSI patients were aware and unhappy with their abnormal lateral shoulder appearances (P < .001). NT group had larger preoperative/ postoperative T1 tilt (9.2 ± 5.0°; 9.5 ± 5.3°) and CA (4.6 ± 3.1°; 7.0 ± 2.0°) (P < .01). LSI group had larger preoperative/ postoperative Cla-A (4.8 ± 2.8°; 4.0 ± 1.3°) and RSH (20.1 ± 9.4 mm; 17.0 ± 6.6 mm) (P < .001). Postoperative B group scored higher in overall SRS-22r scores, self-image and satisfaction domains (4.2 ± 0.3; 4.0 ± 0.5; 4.4 ± 0.5) while preoperative LSI scored the lowest comparatively (3.5 ± 0.4; 2.4 ± 0.5; 3.3 ± 0.5) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: NT and LSI were major concerns among AIS patients. Both NT and LSI groups were unhappy with their appearances. NT group had larger T1 tilt/ CA whereas LSI group had larger Cla-A/ RSH. Postoperative B group scored higher in overall SRS-22r scores, self-image and satisfaction domains.
RESUMEN
The potential of social media has expanded far beyond the initial function of social communication among a network of friends. It has become an increasingly important tool in risk communication to allow the dissemination of timely and accurate information to global citizens to make more informed choices regarding a particular crisis. The Fukushima nuclear crisis is an example where the potential of social media was not fully tapped. This caused undue stress and distrust of authorities. While the use of social media in this crisis could have altered significantly the level of trust in authorities and others, two additional points should be considered. One point is the use of plain language versus scientific language in order to reach a wider audience. The other is an urgent need to improve public information especially in the event of a nuclear emergency and to enhance educational efforts and action by improving radiological protection communication from regulatory bodies and international agencies. These are points that also play a large role in the use of social media.